Reference K 3238 A1 H85X 1994

The Declaration

Now, Therefore THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY proclaims THIS UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction.

Did You Know...

• The concept of universal human rights was created by 17th and 18th century philosophers?
• On December 10, 1948 the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights?
• In 1949 a Presidential Proclamation declared December 10th to be National Human Rights Day?

For more information, look up the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in the online Encyclopedia Britannica.

Reference JC 571 L2747 1999

Human Rights Resources

Every December is Universal Human Rights Month. Its purpose is to disseminate information throughout the world about human rights and to distribute copies of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in English and other languages.

For more information about human rights:

• View the United Nation's Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
• The Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute provides information about human rights both in the United States and worldwide. The organization also sponsors the In Your Hands campaign to encourage people to get involved with human rights issues.
• Derechos is a human rights activist group. Their aim is to increase awareness and fight human rights violations.
• For a look at current human rights issues check out the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

"The destiny of human rights is in the hands of all our citizens in all our communities."
~ Eleanor Roosevelt

The sacred rights of mankind are not to be rummaged for among old parchments or musty records. They are written, as with a sunbeam, in the whole volume of human nature, by the hand of the divinity itself; and can never be erased or obscured by mortal power.
~ Alexander Hamilton